Imidazoline containing fiberglass binder

ABSTRACT

Provided is a fiberglass binder composition which comprises a polycarboxy polymer, polyol and an imidazoline. The binder also preferably includes a catalyst which is an alkali metal salt of a phosphorus-containing organic acid. The resultant binder provides minimal processing difficulties and a product which exhibits minimal water absorption.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of The Invention

The subject invention pertains to polycarboxy polymer binding resinshaving improved water absorption properties. More particularly, thesubject invention pertains to thermosetting, acrylic acid-based binderresins which cure by crosslinking with a poly-functional, carboxylgroup-reactive curing agent, which binders containing such resinsexhibit minimal water absorption. Such binders are useful asreplacements for formaldehyde-based binders in non-woven fiberglassgoods.

2. Description of The Related Art

Fiberglass binders have a variety of uses ranging from stiffeningapplications where the binder is applied to woven or non-wovenfiberglass sheet goods and cured, producing a stiffer product;thermo-forming applications wherein the binder resin is applied to sheetor lofty fibrous product following which it is dried and optionallyB-staged to form an intermediate but yet curable product; and to fullycured systems such as building insulation.

Fibrous glass insulation products generally comprise matted glass fibersbonded together by a cured thermoset polymeric material. Molten streamsof glass are drawn into fibers of random lengths and blown into aforming chamber where they are randomly deposited as a mat onto atraveling conveyor. The fibers, while in transit in the forming chamberand while still hot from the drawing operation, are sprayed with anaqueous binder. A phenol-formaldehyde binder has been used throughoutthe fibrous glass insulation industry. The residual heat from the glassfibers and the flow of air through the fibrous mat during the formingoperation are generally sufficient to volatilize the majority of thewater from the binder, thereby leaving the remaining components of thebinder on the fibers as a viscous or semi-viscous high solids liquid.The coated fibrous mat is transferred to a curing oven where heated air,for example, is blown through the mat to cure the binder and rigidlybond the glass fibers together.

Fiberglass binders used in the present sense should not be confused withmatrix resins which are an entirely different and non-analogous field ofart. While sometimes termed “binders”, matrix resins act to fill theentire interstitial space between fibers, resulting in a dense, fiberreinforced product where the matrix must translate the fiber strengthproperties to the composite, whereas “binder resins” as used herein arenot space-filling, but rather coat only the fibers, and particularly thejunctions of fibers. Fiberglass binders also cannot be equated withpaper or wood product “binders” where the adhesive properties aretailored to the chemical nature of the cellulosic substrates. Many suchresins, e.g. urea/formaldehyde and resorcinol/formaldehyde resins, arenot suitable for use as fiberglass binders. One skilled in the art offiberglass binders would not look to cellulosic binders to solve any ofthe known problems associated with fiberglass binders.

Binders useful in fiberglass insulation products generally require a lowviscosity in the uncured state, yet characteristics sufficient to form arigid thermoset polymeric mat for the glass fibers when cured. A lowbinder viscosity in the uncured state is required to allow the mat to besized correctly. Also, viscous binders tend to be tacky or sticky andhence they lead to accumulation of fiber on the forming chamber walls.This accumulated fiber may later fall onto the mat causing dense areasand product problems. A binder which forms a rigid solid when cured isrequired so that a finished fiberglass thermal insulation product, whencompressed for packaging and shipping, will recover to its as-madevertical dimension when installed in a building.

From among the many thermosetting polymers, numerous candidates forsuitable thermosetting fiber-glass binder resins exist. However,binder-coated fiberglass products are often of the commodity type, andthus cost becomes a driving factor, generally ruling out such resins asthermosetting polyurethanes, epoxies, and others. Due to their excellentcost/performance ratio, the resins of choice in the past have beenphenol/formaldehyde resins. Phenol/formaldehyde resins can beeconomically produced, and can be extended with urea prior to use as abinder in many applications. Such urea-extended phenol/formaldehydebinders have been the mainstay of the fiberglass insulation industry foryears, for example.

Over the past several decades however, minimization of volatile organiccompound emissions (VOCs) both on the part of the industry desiring toprovide a cleaner environment, as well as by Federal regulation, has ledto extensive investigations into not only reducing emissions from thecurrent formaldehyde-based binders, but also into candidate replacementbinders. For example, subtle changes in the ratios of phenol toformaldehyde in the preparation of the basic phenol/formaldehyde resoleresins, changes in catalysts, and addition of different and multipleformaldehyde scavengers, has resulted in considerable improvement inemissions from phenol/formaldehyde binders as compared with the binderspreviously used. However, with increasingly stringent Federalregulations, more and more attention has been paid to alternative bindersystems which are free from formaldehyde.

One such candidate binder system employs polymers of acrylic acid as afirst component, and a polyol such as glycerin or a modestlyoxyalkylated glycerin as a curing or “crosslinking” component. Thepreparation and properties of such poly(acrylic acid)-based binders,including information relative to the VOC emissions, and a comparison ofbinder properties versus urea formaldehyde binders is presented in“Formaldehyde-Free Crosslinking Binders For Non-Wovens”, Charles T.Arkins et al., TAPPI JOURNAL, Vol. 78, No. 11, pages 161-168, November1995. The binders disclosed by the Arkins article, appear to beB-stageable as well as being able to provide physical properties similarto those of urea/formaldehyde resins.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,868 discloses fiberglass insulation products curedwith a combination of a polycarboxy polymer, a-hydroxyalkylamide, and anat least one trifunctional monomeric carboxylic acid such as citricacid. The specific polycarboxy polymers disclosed are poly(acrylic acid)polymers. See also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,582

U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,990 discloses a fibrous glass binder which comprisesa polycarboxy polymer, a monomeric trihydric alcohol and a catalystcomprising an alkali metal salt of a phosphorous-containing organicacid.

Published European Patent Application EP 0 583 086 A1 appears to providedetails of polyacrylic acid binders whose cure is catalyzed by aphosphorus-containing catalyst system as discussed in the Arkins articlepreviously cited. Higher molecular weight poly(acrylic acids) are statedto provide polymers exhibiting more complete cure. See also U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,661,213; 5,427,587; 6,136,916; and 6,221,973.

Some polycarboxy polymers have been found useful for making fiberglassinsulation products. Problems of clumping or sticking of the glassfibers to the inside of the forming chambers during the processing, aswell as providing a final product that exhibits the recovery andrigidity necessary to provide a commercially acceptable fiberglassinsulation product, have been overcome. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.6,331,350. The thermosetting acrylic resins have been found to be morehydrophilic than the traditional phenolic binders, however. Thishydrophilicity results in fiberglass insulation that is more prone toabsorb liquid water, thereby possibly compromising the integrity of theproduct. Also, the thermosetting acrylic resins now being used asbinding agents for fiberglass have been found to not react aseffectively with silane coupling agents of the type traditionally usedby the industry. Overcoming these problems will help to better utilizepolycarboxy. polymers in fiberglass binders.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide anovel, non-phenol formaldehyde binder.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a binderwhich allows one to prepare fiberglass insulation products which areless prone to absorb liquid water.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a fiberglassinsulation product which exhibits good recovery and rigidity, and isformaldehyde-free, and is more water-proof.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent tothe skilled artisan upon a review of the following description and theclaims appended hereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the foregoing objectives, there is provided by thepresent invention a novel fiberglass binder. The binder composition ofthe present invention comprises a polycarboxy polymer, a polyol and animidazoline. It is also preferred that the binder comprise a catalyst,such as an alkaline metal salt of a phosphorus-containing organic acid.

An important aspect of the binder of the present invention is that theimidazoline material is present. The presence of the imidazoline hasbeen found to render the binder, and hence the fiberglass mat to whichthe binder is applied, essentially water-proof. As a result, fiberglassinsulation made with the binder of the present invention avoids problemsof coming apart when subjected to water, as the binder of the presentinvention has been found to better repel the water and maintain theintegrity of the bond with the fiberglass. Indeed, it is believed thatthe imidazoline materials used, primarily due to their hydroxyfunctionality, act as coupling agents for resin to glass adhesion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The polycarboxy polymer used in the binder of the present inventioncomprises an organic polymer or oligomer containing more than onependant carboxy group. The polycarboxy polymer may be a homopolymer orcopolymer prepared from unsaturated carboxylic acids including but notnecessarily limited to acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid,isocrotonic acid, maleic acid, cinnamic acid, 2-methylmaleic acid,itaconic acid, 2-methylitaeonic acid, alpha, beta-methyleneglutaricacid, and the like. Alternative, the polycarboxy polymer may be preparedfrom unsaturated anhydrides including, but not necessarily limited to,maleic anhydride, methacrylic anhydride, and the like, as well asmixtures thereof. Methods for polymerizing these acids and anhydridesare well-known in the chemical art.

The polycarboxy polymer of the present invention may additionallycomprise a copolymer of one or more of the aforementioned unsaturatedcarboxylic acids or anhydrides and one or more vinyl compoundsincluding, but not necessarily limited to, styrene, alpha-methylstyrene,aorylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate,n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, n-butylmethacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, blycidyl methacrylate, vinyl methylether, vinyl acetate, and the like. Methods for preparing thesecopolymers are well-known in the art.

Preferred polycarboxy polymers comprise homopolymers and copolymers ofpolyacrylic acid. It is particularly preferred that the molecular weightof the polycarboxy polymer, and in particular polyacrylic acid polymer,is less than 10000, more preferably less than 5000, and most preferablyabout 3000 or less. The low molecular weight polycarboxy polymer, whencombined with a low pH binder, results in a final product which exhibitsexcellent recovery and rigidity.

The formaldehyde-free curable aqueous binder composition of the presentinvention also contains a polyol containing at least two hydroxylgroups. The polyol must be sufficiently nonvolatile such that it willsubstantially remain available for reaction with the polyacid in thecomposition during heating and curing operations. The polyol may be acompound with a molecular weight less than about 1000 bearing at leasttwo hydroxyl groups such as, for example, ethylene glycol, glycerol,pentaerythritol, trimethylol propane, sorbitol, sucrose, glucose,resorcinol, catechol, pyrogallol, glycollated ureas, 1,4-cyclohexanediol, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and certain reactive polyols suchas, for example, hydroxyalkylamides such as, for example,bis[N,N-di(beta-hydroxyethyl)]adipamide, as may be prepared according tothe teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,917, hereby incorporated herein byreference, or it may be an addition polymer containing at least twohydroxyl groups such as, for example, polyvinyl alcohol, partiallyhydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate, and homopolymers or copolymers ofhydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate, hydroxypropyl(meth) acrylate, and thelike. The most preferred polyol for the purposes of the presentinvention is triethanolamine (TEA).

The ratio of the number of equivalents of carboxy, anhydride, or saltsthereof of the polyacid to the number of equivalents of hydroxyl in thepolyol is from about 1/0.01 to about 1/3. An excess of equivalents ofcarboxy, anhydride, or salts thereof of the polyacid to the equivalentsof hydroxyl in the polyol is preferred. The more preferred ratio of thenumber of equivalents of carboxy, anhydride, or salts thereof in thepolyacid to the number of equivalents of hydroxyl in the polyol is fromabout 1/0.4 to about 1/1. The most preferred ratio of the number ofequivalents of carboxy, anhydride, or salts thereof in the polyacid tothe number of equivalents of hydroxyl in the polyol is from about 1/0.2to about 1/0.95, more preferably from 1/0.6 to 1/0.8, and mostpreferably from 1/0.65 to 1/0.75. A low ratio, approaching 1/0.7 hasbeen found to be of particular advantage in the present invention, whencombined with a low molecular weight polycarboxy polymer, and alsopreferably with a low pH binder.

The binder of the present invention also contains an imidazolinematerial. The presence of the imidazoline has been found to render thebinder less prone to absorb water. As a result, the integrity of thebond between the binder and glass fiber, and hence the integrity of theentire mat product, is better maintained when exposed to liquid water.The binder bond, and hence the overall product, is more water-proof.

The imidazoline of the present invention is preferably based upon thereaction of a fatty acid with an amine. The reaction forms an amidewhich then undergoes cyclization at elevated temperatures to form theimidazoline. Preferably, the entire reaction product is used as theadditive to the binder composition. The reaction product is a mixture ofthe reactants, intermediates, and final product.

The fatty acid can be any fatty acid, but is preferably selected fromstearic acid, oleic acid or tall oil. The amine can also be any suitableamine, but is preferably comprised of an aminoethylethanolamine. Aminessuch as diethylene triamine can also be used. From a performancestandpoint, oleyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline is the most preferredimidazoline for use in the binder of the present invention.

It is also most preferred that the imidazoline be hydroxy functional asit acts as a coupling agent for resin to glass adhesion. Since acrylicresins do not react very effectively with silane coupling agents, thisis an additional advantage of the present invention.

It is preferred that the formaldehyde-free curable aqueous bindercomposition of the present invention also contains a catalyst. Mostpreferably, the catalyst is a phosphorous-containing accelerator whichmay be a compound with a molecular weight less than about 1000 such as,for example, an alkali metal polyphosphate, an alkali metal dihydrogenphosphate, a polyphosphoric acid, and an alkyl phosphinic acid or it maybe an oligomer or polymer bearing phosphorous-containing groups such as,for example, addition polymers of acrylic and/or maleic adds formed inthe presence of sodium hypophosphite, addition polymers prepared fromethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of phosphorous saltchain transfer agents or terminators, and addition polymers containingacid-functional monomer residues such as, for example, copolymerizedphosphoethyl methacrylate, and like phosphonic acid esters, andcopolymerized vinyl sulfonic acid monomers, and their salts. Thephosphorous-containing accelerator may be used at a level of from about1% to about 40%, by weight based on the combined weight of the polyacidand the polyol. Preferred is a level of phosphorous-containingaccelerator of from about 2.5% to about 10%, by weight based on thecombined weight of the polyacid and the polyol.

It is most preferred that the pH of the binder of the present inventionalso be low, i.e., no greater than 4.5. For it has been found that thecombination of low molecular weight polycarboxy polymer with a loweredpH provides a binder exhibiting minimal processing difficulties and afinal product with excellent recovery and rigidity. Maintaining the pHin the range of greater than 3.5 to 4.5 or less, also allows one toavoid serious problems with conversion of the equipment while stillrealizing the benefits of the low pH.

The formaldehyde-free curable aqueous binder composition may contain, inaddition, conventional treatment components such as, for example,emulsifiers, pigments, filler, anti-migration aids, curing agents,coalescents, wetting agents, biocides, plasticizers, organosilanes,anti-foaming agents, colorants, waxes, and anti-oxidants.

The formaldehyde-free curable aqueous binder composition may be preparedby admixing the polyacid, the polyol, and the phosphorous-containingaccelerator using conventional mixing techniques. In another embodiment,a carboxyl- or anhydride-containing addition polymer and a polyol may bepresent in the same addition polymer, which addition polymer wouldcontain both carboxyl, anhydride, or salts thereof functionality andhydroxyl functionality. In another embodiment, the salts of thecarboxy-group are salts of functional alkanolamines with at least twohydroxyl groups such as, for example, diethanolamine, triethanolamine,dipropanolamine, and di-isopropanolamine. In an additional embodiment,the polyol and the phosphorous-containing accelerator may be present inthe same addition polymer, which addition polymer may be mixed with apolyacid. In yet another embodiment the carboxyl- oranhydride-containing addition polymer, the polyol, and thephosphorous-containing accelerator may be present in the same additionpolymer. Other embodiments will be apparent to one skilled in the art.As disclosed herein-above, the carboxyl groups of the polyacid may beneutralized to an extent of less than about 35% with a fixed basebefore, during, or after the mixing to provide the aqueous composition.Neutralization may be partially effected during the formation of thepolyacid.

Once the composition of the polyacid and the polyol has been prepared,the imidazoline can then be mixed in with the composition to form thefinal composition to be sprayed on the fiberglass. The imidazoline istherefore basically an important additive to conventional bindersystems, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,350, which ishereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. As moltenstreams of glass are drawn into fibers of random lengths and blown intoa forming chamber where they are randomly deposited as a mat onto atraveling conveyor, the fibers, while in transit in the forming chamber,are sprayed with the aqueous binder composition of the presentinvention, which includes the imidazoline.

More particularly, in the preparation of fiberglass insulation products,the products can be prepared using conventional techniques. As is wellknown, a porous mat of fibrous glass can be produced by fiberizingmolten glass and immediately forming a fibrous glass mat on a movingconveyor. The expanded mat is then conveyed to and through a curing ovenwherein heated air is passed through the mat to cure the resin. The matis slightly compressed to give the finished product a predeterminedthickness and surface finish. Typically, the curing oven is operated ata temperature from about 150° C. to about 325° C. Preferably, thetemperature ranges from about 180 to about 225° C. Generally, the matresides within the oven for a period of time from about ½ minute toabout 3 minutes. For the manufacture of conventional thermal oracoustical insulation products, the time ranges from about ¾ minute toabout 1½ minutes. The fibrous glass having a cured, rigid binder matrixemerges from the oven in the form of a bat which may be compressed forpackaging and shipping and which will thereafter substantially recoverits vertical dimension when unconstrained.

The formaldehyde-free curable aqueous composition may also be applied toa already formed nonwoven by conventional techniques such as, forexample, air or airless spraying, padding, saturating, roll coating,curtain coating, beater deposition, coagulation, or the like.

The waterborne formaldehyde-free composition, after it is applied to anonwoven, is heated to effect drying and curing. The duration andtemperature of heating will affect the rate of drying, processabilityand handleability, and property development of the treated substrate.Heat treatment at about 120° C., to about 400° C., for a period of timebetween about 3 seconds to about 15 minutes may be carried out;treatment at about 150° C., to about 250° C., is preferred. The dryingand curing functions may be effected in two or more distinct steps, ifdesired. For example, the composition may be first heated at atemperature and for a time sufficient to substantially dry but not tosubstantially cure the composition and then heated for a second time ata higher temperature and/or for a longer period of time to effectcuring. Such a procedure, referred to as “B-staging”, may be used toprovide binder-treated nonwoven, for example, in roll form, which may ata later stage be cured, with or without forming or molding into aparticular configuration, concurrent with the curing process.

The heat-resistant nonwovens may be used for applications such as, forexample, insulation batts or rolls, as reinforcing mat for roofing orflooring applications, as roving, as microglass-based substrate forprinted circuit boards or battery separators, as filter stock, as tapestock, as tape board for office petitions, in duct liners or duct board,and as reinforcement scrim in cementitious and non-cementitious coatingsfor masonry.

The following examples are produced in order to further illustrate thepresent invention, and are not intended to limit the invention.

EXAMPLE

The following materials were used in a trial to evaluate a range ofimidazoline materials:

1. 2-(2-heptadec-1-enyl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-1-yl)ethanol also known asoleyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline. This was supplied by Lonza as Unamine O.It is also available from Scher Chemicals as Schercozolione O.

2. Coco hydroxyethyl imidazoline supplied by Lonza as Unamine C.

3. Lubril Cat X/VC from Rhodia. This is believed to be based on apoly(ethylene amine) and is described as a fatty amide.

4. Indulin QTS from MeadWestvaco. This is described as a fatty acidimidazoline.

5. Peral 417 from MeadWestvaco. This is described as a fatty acidimidazoline.

These materials were added to a standard thermosetting acrylic bindercomprising a polyacrylic acid and a polyol (triethyenolamine). The resinwas supplied to the fiberglass at a rate such that the final productcontained about 5% by weight of the binder. The materials listed abovewere added in turn to produce samples of product containing each of theadditives. The fiberglass was a R6 product with a thickness of 2 inches.

The samples were tested for water repellancy by two methods. In thefirst method, a 6 inch×6 inch square of the fiberglass was placed onto abath of water for 5 minutes. After that time, the fiberglass was removedand suspended for 30 seconds from one corner to allow draining and thenimmediately weighed. The weight gain was recorded as a percent of theoriginal weight. In the second method, a 6 inch×6 inch square of thefiberglass was placed onto a bath of water, the time taken for thesample to completely immerse was recorded. The results are shown below:

*Amount Time to Sink, Sample of Additive, % Weight Gain seconds ControlBefore 0 1861%  210 1A 0.06  76% 1566 1B 0.11  28% 5700 2A 0.07 814% 2472B 0.13 678% 640 3A 0.03 605% 610 3B 0.06 566% 425 4  0.12 809% 615 5 0.11 1638%  295 Control After 0 1803%  210 *The amount of additive issolids expressed as a percent of total product weight.

All of the imidazoline additives significantly reduced the amount ofwater absorbed by the fiberglass. The oleyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline wasthe best material and is most preferred.

While the invention has been described with preferred embodiments, it isto be understood that variations and modifications may be resorted to aswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications are to be considered within the purview and the scope ofthe claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fiberglass binder, comprising an aqueoussolution of a polycarboxy polymer, a polyol and an imidazoline.
 2. Thefiberglass binder of claim 1, wherein the imidazoline is based upon thereaction of a fatty acid with an amine.
 3. The fiberglass binder ofclaim 2, wherein the fatty acid is comprised of stearic acid, oleic acidor tall oil.
 4. The fiberglass binder of claim 2, wherein the amine iscomprised of an aminoethylethanolamine.
 5. The fiberglass binder ofclaim 2, wherein the amine is comprised of diethylene triamine.
 6. Thefiberglass binder of claim 2, wherein the imidazoline comprises oleylhydroxyethyl imidazoline.
 7. The fiberglass binder of claim 1, whereinthe imidazoline comprises from about 0.4 to 3.0 wt % of the binder. 8.The fiberglass binder of claim 1, wherein the imidazoline comprises fromabout 0.6 to 2.6 wt % of the binder.
 9. The fiberglass binder of claim1, wherein the imidazoline comprises from about 1.2 to 2.4 wt % of thebinder.
 10. The fiberglass binder of claim 4, wherein the fatty acid iscomprised of stearic acid, oleic acid or tall oil.
 11. The fiberglassbinder of claim 5, wherein the fatty acid is comprised of stearic acid,oleic acid or tall oil.
 12. The fiberglass binder of claim 1, whereinthe number average molecular weight of the polycarboxy polymer is lessthan
 5000. 13. The fiberglass binder of claim 1, wherein the numberaverage molecular weight of the polycarboxy polymer is less than 3000.14. The fiberglass binder of claim 1, wherein the binder furthercomprises a catalyst which comprises an alkali metal salt of aphosphorus-containing organic acid.
 15. The fiberglass binder of claim14, wherein the catalyst is sodium hydophosphite, sodium phosphite, or amixture thereof.
 16. The fiberglass binder of claim 1, wherein thepolyol is triethanolamine.
 17. The fiberglass binder of claim 1, whereinthe polycarboxy polymer comprises homopolymers and/or copolymers ofpolyacrylic acid.
 18. The fiberglass binder of claim 1, wherein theamount of polycarboxy polymer and polyol in the binder is such that theratio of carboxy group equivalents to hydroxyl group equivalents is inthe range of from about 1/0.65 to 1/0.75.
 19. A fiberglass binder,comprising an aqueous solution of a homopolymer and/or copolymer ofpolyacrylic acid, where the polyacrylic acid polymer has a numberaverage molecular weight of 5000 or less, triethanolamine, and animidazoline.
 20. The fiberglass binder of claim 19, wherein the binderfurther contains a catalyst which comprises an alkali metal salt of aphosphorus-containing organic acid.
 21. The fiberglass binder of claim19, wherein the amount of polyacrylic acid polymer and triethanolaminein the binder is such that the ratio of carboxy group equivalents tohydroxyl group equivalents is in the range of from about 1/0.65 to1/0.75.
 22. The fiberglass binder of claim 19, wherein the imidazolineis based upon the reaction of a fatty acid with an amine.
 23. Thefiberglass binder of claim 22, wherein the fatty acid is comprised ofstearic acid, oleic acid or tall oil.
 24. The fiberglass binder of claim22, wherein the amine is comprised of an aminoethylethanolamine.
 25. Thefiberglass binder of claim 22, wherein the amine is comprised ofdiethylene triamine.
 26. The fiberglass binder of claim 19, wherein theimidazoline comprises oleyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline.
 27. The fiberglassbinder of claim 19, wherein the imidazoline comprises from about 0.4 to3.0 wt % of the binder.
 28. The fiberglass binder of claim 19, whereinthe imidazoline comprises from about 0.6 to 2.6 wt % of the binder. 29.The fiberglass binder of claim 19, wherein the imidazoline comprisesfrom about 1.2 to 2.4 wt % of the binder.
 30. A fiberglass productcomprising a mat of grass fibers containing the binder of claim
 1. 31.The fiberglass product of claim 30, wherein the product is buildinginsulation.
 32. The fiberglass product of claim 30, wherein the productis reinforcing mat for roofing or flooring.
 33. The fiberglass productof claim 30, wherein the product is a microglass-based substrate usefulfor printed circuit boards or battery separators, filter stock, tapestock or reinforcement scrim.
 34. The fiberglass product of claim 30,wherein the product is filter stock.
 35. The fiberglass product of claim30, wherein the imidazoline is comprised of oleyl hydroxyethylimidazoline.
 36. The fiberglass product of claim 30, wherein the amountof imidazoline contained therein ranges from about 0.02 to 0.15 wt %.37. The fiberglass product of claim 30, wherein the amount ofimidazoline contained therein ranges from about 0.03 to 0.13 wt %. 38.The fiberglass product of claim 30, wherein the amount of imidazolinecontained therein ranges from about 0.06 to 0.12 wt %.